Fuel supply apparatus



Sept. 26,1939. w. c. COLEMANl FUEL SUPPLY APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1938s sheets-sheet 1 Se'pt. 26, 1939. w. c. COLEMAN FUEL SUPPLY APPARATUSFiled April 25, 19.3 8 3 Shees--Shee'rI 2 will Il|||||f m Rm O/ mw W mC.m M W ATTORNEY Sept. 26, 1939. w. c. COLEMAN FUEL SUPPLY APPARATUSFiled April 25, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I sw.

INVENTOR W/// f77 CO/ 07a.

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FUEL SUPPLYAPPARATUS Application April 25, 1938, Serial No. ,204,209-l 11 Claims.

This invention relates to fuel supplyv apparatus particularly adaptedfor furnishing a low cost fuel to a home or other place where vordinarygas fuels are not available for use in cook 5 stoves, heaters andsimilar home appliances that are common to the city dweller, but whichhave not been used extensively in suburban and rural districts becauseof extremely high cost of bottled gas, danger in handling a gaseousfluid, failure of supply, and other reasons.

'I'he principal object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a safeand eflicient unit for storing and supplying a readily available liquidhydrocarbon, such as gasoline, that is located outside of the walls ofthe home and connected by a fuel line with the respective gas burningappliances.

` It is also an important object of the invention to provide the storageunit with a portable air container for supplying compressed airnecessary in propelling the liquid hydrocarbon from its containerthrough the fuel line to the respective appliances and for initiallyatomizing the liquid r upon starting one of the appliances.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide an air containerthat is readily charged with compressed air at any gasoline fillingstation so as to avoid the inconvenience of manually pumping a pressuremedium into the fuel storage container; to provide for readilyconnecting and disconnecting the air container from the fuel containerwithout the loss of air pressure so that the fuel supply unit continuesto function upon disconnection of the air container for chargingpurposes; to provide a pressure regulating valve for reducing the highair container pressures to a low pressure suitable in moving the liquidfuel from the storage container to the gas using appliances; to providethe air container with an inlet fitting that is readily connected with astandard automobile tire filling valve; -to provide the air containerWith a pressure relief device in case excessive pressures be admittedtherein; and to provide the air container with a pressure gauge forindicating the amount ofv pressure carried' therein and for indicatingwhen it is necessary to remove the container for charging.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide a fuel supplyunit with a fuel storage container constructed to retain isolatedreserve and service fuel supplies so as to avoid running out of fuel; toprovide a fuel container that is constructed for freshening the reservesupply of fuel incidental to replenishing the service supply of fuel; toprovide the fuel container with a simple and eicient valving system forselectively connecting the respective fuel supplies with the flow lineleading to the respective gas appliances; to provide a containerconstruction equipped with a minimum number of connections and fittings5 through which loss of air or fuel is likely to occur; to provide afuel container construction which facilitates of assembly and connectionof the fuel line with the reserve and service fuel supplies; to providethe fuel container with a 10 pressure gauge for indicating the amount ofpressure carried therein; and to provide the fuel container with anauxiliary outlet line for filling small appliances, such as lanterns,lamps, portable stoves, and the like.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, ashereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved details of structure,the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein: 20

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel supply unit embodying thefeatures of the present invention.V

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the unit Villustrated in Fig. 1. 25

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the ends of the aircontainer, particularly illustrating the air inlet and outletconnection, the air pressure gauge, and safety device forrelieving'excessive pressure. 30

Fig. 4 is a detail section `through the pressure reducing valve and aportion of the fuel container.

Fig. 5 is a detail section through the air filling connection of the aircontainer after it has been disconnected from the'fuel container and iscovered by a protective cap While the air container is being transportedto and from the place of charging.

Fig. 6 is a vertical central section through the fuel container showingthe reserve and service storage compartments therein. i

Fig. '7 is a similar section through the upper portion of the fuelcontainer, taken at right angles lto thesection illustrated in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail View, partly in section, of the flow lines leadingfrom the storage and reserve compartments and the valve for selectivelyconnecting the respective lines with the flow line leading to therespective appliances supplied by the unit.

Fig. 9 is a detail section through the fuel container on the line 9--9of Fig. 6.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a liquid fuel supply unit embodying the features of thepresent invention and which includes a liquid fuel storage container 2and a compressed air container 3 for admitting air under pressure intothe container 2 for displacing the fuel therefrom and delivering itthrough a flow line 4 leading to one or more gas burning appliances (notshown), usually located at a higher level.

The unit I is adapted to be located exteriorly of the home and isordinarily enclosed in a suitable housing (not shown) that is providedwith a hinged and locked cover to prevent tampering by unauthorizedpersons. The liquid fuel storage container 2 is constructed of sheetmetal and includes a cylindrical wall 5 closed at the lower end by aninset, inwardly crowned headE, and at' the upper end by an outwardlycrowned head 1,

the heads being welded to the wall 5 to provide The container 2 is.divided at a point substantially midway of its air and liquid-tightjoints.

height by a transverse partition 8 to form a lower fuel service supplycompartment 9 and an upper reserve fuel supply compartment II) so thatafter the fuel has been exhausted from the lower compartment 9 the gasburning appliances may be supplied from the reserve compartment while anew supply of fuel is being obtained for the service compartment,thereby avoiding the inconvenience d of running out of fuel.

The head 1 has the peripheral portion thereof recessed at spaced points,as at II, I2, I3 and I4, to mount bushings I5, I6, I1 and I8 forrespectively providing a fill opening I9, an air inlet opening 20, anauxiliary fuel outlet opening 2I and a main fuel outlet 22. The fillopening I9 opens directly into the upper or reserve storage compartmentand is closed by a cap 23 threaded upon an externally threaded neck 24screwed into the bushing I5 so as to retain an air pressure and excludedust, dirt and the like from entering the container. The opening 2I isclosed by a valve 25 having a shank 26 threaded into the bushing andprovided with a depending pipe 21 terminating slightly above the bottomof the reserve compartment. The valve 25 also includes a laterallyextending branch 28 to which is connected an outwardly and downwardlyextending spout 29 for use in filling small portable fuel burnv ingappliances, such as lamps, lanterns, and the like. When the valve 25 isopened by turning the hand wheel 39, the air pressure carried in the.tank displaces the liquid through the pipe 21 and spout 29 into thevessel being filled. This feature eliminates the necessity of keeping anopen supply `of inflammable liquid for filling such appliances as itpermits filling thereof from the closed supply within the containerwithout interference with feed through the line 4 to the mainappliances.

The bushing forming the opening 22 is internally threaded to mount theneck 3l of a valve 32, having spaced, vertical channels 33 leading todiverging branches 34 and 35 having valve seats 35 that are adapted tobe selectively closed by needle points 31 on valve stems 38 and 39. Thestems are rotated by hand wheels and have threaded portions 42threadedly engaged within the bores of the branches so that when thestems are rotated the needle points are moved to and from seatingengagement with the respective seats. Leakage around the stems isprevented by packing nuts 43 and 44 as in, conventional valveconstruction. The valved ends of the channels 33 respectively connectthrough ports 45 with a laterally extending port 46 provided in a branch49 terminates slightly above the bottom of the service compartment sothat it is in position to drain lsubstantially all of the fuel from thecompartment when an air pressure is admitted thereto. The other tube 48is provided with an offset 53 so that the depending end 54 thereofextends )downwardly alongf the outer side of the stand pipe 59 toterminate slightly above the partition 8.

' Thet'ubes are thus placed close enough together,

however, so that they will readily passy through the opening 22 of thebushing I5. Air is admitted tothe container by way of the opening 29 inthe-bushing I1, through a pressure regulator 55, which is bestillustrated in Fig. .4.

The pressure regulator includes a housing hav-A ing oppositely directedinternally threaded sockets 51'and 58. Threaded into the socket 51 is a.nipple 59 having vits opposite end threaded intothe bushing I1 tosupport the regulator in xed position `on the fuel container. A fitting68 having a check valve 6I is threaded into the other socket andconnected with an air inlet line B2 by means of a union 63. The checkvalve SI engages a seat 64 that is formed within the fitting to close a4port 65 connectingvthe air inlet line` 62 with the pressure regulator.

Extendinglaterally, intermediate the sockets 51 andv 58, is a pistonchamber 68, and formed in the innerY end thereof` is aport: 61connectedv f throughthe check valve fitting with the'air inletl line 62and which has a seat E58v closed by a seat-A ing disk 69 that is carriedin the end face of a. piston 15. The piston 15 is slidably mounted invtheV cylinder and normally retainedin seat enf gaging position by a coilspring 1 I, having one end seated within a'recess 12 of the piston andits opposite end seated within a nut 13 closing the outer end of thepiston chamber. The piston chamber communicates with the nipple 59through i;

a port 14 soy that when the piston 1B is unseated air flows from theline 62 past the check 6I and through the port 51, seat 58, port 14 andnippleA .iiexiblediaphragm disk 11 having its periphery;

clamped to the bodyl portionof the regulator by a cap plate 18. Thediaphragm` 11 carries a reliefvvalve seat 19 that is provided with arelief port 8G which is normally closed by a relief seat disk 8|Acarried upon a head 82, having engagement with the piston through afork 56. Adjustably threaded into the plate 18 is a spring retainer 83housing a coil spring 84 having one end bearing against a pivot 85within the retainer and its opposite end bearing against a pivot disk 86which pivotally engages a diaphragm head 81 on the diaphragm. The actionl'of the spring 84 is adjusted by screwing the spring retainer into andout of the cap plate after which it is retained by a lock nut 98. Thespring retainer 83 has a port 89 through which air is vented toatmosphere upon unseating of the relief valve seat. "The inner side ofthe diaphragm is acted upon by pressure from within the fluid containerby way of aport 99 which connects the diaphragm chamber with the nipple59.

The pressure regulator is further provided with ia pressure gauge 9|having the stem thereof threaded into a lateral boss 92 which isprovided with a port (not shown), connected with the diaiphragm chamberto register the amount of pressure carried within the fuel container.

The air container 3 comprises a cylindrical shell 93, having anoutwardly crowned head 94 and an outwardly crowned bottom 95 that areformed of metal of sufficient strength to withstand pressure of aquantity of air necessary to supply the fuel container for the periodrequired to empty one of the compartments. The head 94 is provided withbushings 96, 9`| and 98, having internally threaded ports 99, |99 and|0| for mounting fittings, as now to be described.

Threaded into the bushing 95 is a Schrader air valve |92 having aconventional valve core |93 provided with a valve actuating stem |94that is adapted to be engaged by a reduced neck |95 on a collared tube|96 which is connected to the terminal end of the air line 92. Rotatablyretained on the tube is a wing nut lill, having an internally threadedsocket |98 engaging over the Valve fitting |92 and arranged to clamp thecollared portion |98 of the tube against the open end of the valvefitting, in which position the valve stem is engaged to move the valvein open position so that the air in the container is delivered throughthe line 52 to the pressure reducing valve. Fixed to the container by aflexible connection, such as a chain |09, is a cap ||0 that \is adaptedto be screwed over the Schrader yvalve fitting when the air container isto be disconnected from the fuel supply tank for filling purposes.

The bushing 9'! carries a pressure gauge for registering the amount ofpressure carried within the container. The other bushing 98 carries acup-shaped fitting H2 having an axial port I|3V communicating with thetank wherethrough pressure on the tank is caused to act upon a frangiblediaphragm I4, the frangible diaphragm |4 being retained in seatedposition within the cup-` shaped fitting by a hollow plug l5 having askirt ||6 threaded within the cup-shaped fitting to clamp the peripheryof the diaphragm in sealed engagement with the cup. The skirt of theplug is provided with radial openings through which pressure exhausts toatmosphere upon bursting of the diaphragm should safe working pressuresbe exceeded within the air container.

In case air should become exhausted from the air container either bydirect actuation of the diaphragm H4 or by depletion through use of theapparatus, I provide the fuel container with a manually operated airpump |58, fixed to the side thereof and having a connection. ||9 leadingto an inlet branch |29 of a valve fitting |2| The valve fitting I2! isthreaded within a bushing |22 located in the center of the head and alsohas a branch |23 for connecting an air line |24 leading to the fuelburning appliance so that air from the container may be used forinitially atomizing the fuel for starting purposes. The air line |24 isalways in communication with the interior of the tank through a port|25, however, the pump line ||9 is normally separated from the tank by adiaphragm |26 having a port |28 normally closed by a needle valve |29that is screwed into the valve body and actuated by a hand wheel |30,similar to the other valves previously described.

In assembling the apparatus, the pressure regulator carrying the airline is screwed into the bushing I1 and the spring 84 is set to maintainthe desired working pressure within the fuel container. In applying thevalve fitting 32 the tubes 48 and 49 are passed through the opening 3|so that the tube 49 enters the open end of the stand pipe and the tube48 passes downwardly on the outside thereof, as shown in Fig. 8, In thisposition the fitting may be readily screwed within the bushing, the tube49 rotating within the stand pipe and the tube 48 revolving around thestand pipe while the fitting is tightened. When thus applied theterminal end of the tube 49 is located near the bottom of the lowercompartment and the tube 48 near the bottom of the upper compartment.

The air container is charged to the desired pressure as indicated by thegauge This is accomplished by disconnecting the cap ||9 and connecting astandard automotive hose fitting, such as used in any filling stationfor supplying air to tires.

At the time of filling the air container a supply of fuel is obtainedand poured through the filler opening I9 into the upper or reservestorage compartment. When this compartment is filled to the stand pipethe fuel begins to overflow therethrough into the lower compartment.After filling, the filler cap 23 is replaced and the valve 31 is openedto establish communication between the lower compartment and the fueldelivery line 4, the valve 34 which communicates the upper compartmentwith the line being closed, The air container is then connected with theair line 62 by connecting the wing nut |01 with the Schrader valvefitting |92. When the nut is tightened the reduced end |95 engages thestem of the valve to effect opening of the valve so that the air in thetank passes through the valve, through the line G2, check valve fitting60 and port 61. Since there is no pressure within the fuel container,the spring 84 preponderates over the spring 1| to cause unseating of thepiston valve. The air is thus free to flow through the port 6T, into thepiston chamber and from the piston chamber through the port 'I4 to thenipple 59 and into the upper compartment of the container where it flowsthrough the air tube 'l5 into the lower container to establish pressureon the surface of the liquid in the reserve supply to move it throughthe tube 49, ports 33 and 45 into the line 4 leading to the various gasappliances.

As soon as the air pressure within the fuel container reaches the setvalue, pressure builds up on the inside of the diaphragm chamber throughthe port 10 to act against the diaphragm, which moves against action ofthe spring 84, so that the spring 1| becomes effective in closing theport 81. However, as the air expands in the tank with displacement ofthe fuel therefrom, the pressure drops to allow entrance of additionalair from the air container to maintain a balanced air pressure in thefuel container so that the fuel is supplied at constant pressure to thegas burning appliances.

Should the piston valve fail to seat, excessive pressure would build upin the fuel container, however, this pressure-acts upon the innersurface of the diaphragmto force the diaphragm seat away from theseating disk on the head 82,

thereby relieving the pressure through the ports 'I9 and 89 toatmosphere before the pressure can 'i accumulate fast enough to bedangerous. Air

under pressure is also supplied to the fuel burning appliances throughthe pipe |24 to effect atomization of the fuel in initially starting theburners.

When the service supply compartment is emptied, the valve 3T is closedand the valve 34 opened so that fuel from the reserve compartment ispassed to the line 4 through the tube 4B. The user of the equipment willtherefore make available another supply of fuel which is readilyobtained at grocery stores, gasoline service stations, and the like.When it becomes necessary to recharge the air container it isdisconnected by unscrewing the wing nut IQ'I. The air pressure, however,will be retained in the fuel container since the piston valve remainsseated to close the port 6l. Loss of air pressure is also guardedagainst by the check valve BI which seats in case of failure of thepiston valve, After removal of the wing nut the protective cap III! isscrewed on the Schrader tting. The air tank is then taken to a fillingstation and charged with air through the usual tire service fittings toa pressure as indicated by the gauge I I I. Should the servicestationcarry higher line pressures than is safe for the container 3, and shouldthe operator fail to notice the air guage, the safety disk I I4 willblow out before the danger point is reached within the container. Itwill then be necessary to insert a new diaphragm before again using thecontainer. This is readily effected by unscrewing the plug II5, applyinga new diaphragm and rep-lacing the plug.

During the time that the air container is disconnected, there is usuallyample air pressure within the fuel container to continue supply of fuelto the burners, however, should there be a delay in return of the aircontainer enough air may be supplied to the fuel container by means ofthe pump IIS. When the new fuel supply is received the cap 23 is removedso that the fuel may be poured into the reserve compartment. Pouring inof the new fuel mixes the old with the new so as to keepthe reserve infresh condition. Upon filling o-f the reserve compartment, the fueloverflows by way of the stand pipe into the lower compartmentl Thefiller cap is then replaced and the air container is connected with thefuel container to reestablish pressure therein. The valve 34 is thenclosed and the valve S'I opened to again connect the service supplycompartment with the line 4 and to reserve the fuel in the uppercompartment until such a time that the fuel in the lower compartment hasbeen consumed.

It is apparent that with a fuel container constructed as described, thereserve fuel will never become sour or stale by chemical deterioration.This is important because gasolines of today, prepared by the crackingprocess, deteriorates rapidly and no fuel over thirty days old should beused in a retort burner, therefore the capacity of the respective fuelcompartments is designed so that the fuel will be used within thisperiod. However,A the fuel compartments are of adequate capacity toavoid the inconvenience of frequent fillings, The fresh fuel is alwaysflowed into the reserve compartment and then overflows into the maincompartment to agitate the older fuel and carry it into the servicecompartment to keep the reserve fuel fresh.

superimposed relation of the reserve and storage compartments isessential to fulfill the requirements of the National Board of FireUnderwriters as it limits delivery of the maximum amount less than thetotal amount of the container. At the present time six gallons is themaximum amount to be delivered at one time, even if both feed valvesshould be left open. In this case the feed is entirely from the reservefor the reason that weight of the liquid column in the pipe 48 is lessthan that in the pipe 49. As soon as the reserve supply is depleted airwill start blowing through the feed lines, thus air-` sealing the pipe49 to prevent flow from the service compartment. Before the flow can bereestablished it is necessary to close the valve 38 to prevent escape ofthe air. The air is then effective in forcing fuel through the outletpipe 49.

Attention is directed to the fact that with the valve arrangement asdescribed, it is not necessary to transfer the fuel from one compartmentto the other when the service compartment is empty. When it becomesnecessary to clean the fuel container, the fuel is readily emptied fromboth compartments by uncoupling the container and inverting it so thatthe fuel discharges through the inlet opening upon removal of theclosure cap.

While the fuel container is provided with an air pump that is securelymounted on the side thereof, it is for use only in the event that theordinary air supply has become exhausted. With correct operation of thesystem this pump will never be used, since the air container is ofsufcient capacity and strength to contain the required amount of airnecessary between the intervals of fuel filling.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fuel supply apparatus, a'liquid fuel container having reserveand service supply compartments respectively provided with fuel'outlets, valve means selectively closing and opening said outletswhereby fuel is drawn from the service supply and then from the reservesupply when the service supply is depleted, a pressure medium container,conducting means connect-v' ing the containers, a duct connecting saidcompartments whereby both compartments are in constant communicationwith each other and the pressures therein are equalized, and a pressurereducing valve connected with the conduct-V ing means for supplying apressure medium to said fuel container at a substantially constantuniform pressure during successive emptying of the respectivecompartments as set by said selective valve means.

2. A fuel container having an upper reserve.v fuel supply compartmentand a lower fuel service means for supplying air under pressure to said'air spaces, fuel discharge pipes extending into the respectivecompartments, a fitting connectingly supporting said discharge pipes inthe fuel container and having an outlet connection,

and independent valve means controlling flow 'through the respectiveAdischarge pipesv to said outlet connection. A

3. A fuel container having an upper reserve fuel-supply compartment anda lower fuel service compartment, a stand pipe connected with theservice compartment and having its upper end terminating below the topof. the reserve compartment for limiting maximum liquid level in thereserve compartment, a lill fitting connected in the top of the uppercompartment to ll the lower by overflow through the stand pipe, a pipeconnecting air spaces in the respective compartments whereby airpressure in both compartments is kept in constant equalization, andmeans for selectively moving fuel from said compartments.

4. A fuel container having an upper reserve fuel supply compartment anda lower fuel service compartment, a stand pipe connected with theservice compartment and extending through the reserve compartment forlimiting maximum liquid level in the reserve compartment, a fill fittingconnected with the upper compartment, a pipe connecting air spaces inthe respective compartments, means for supplying air under pressure tosaid air spaces, a fuel discharge pipe extending through said stand pipeof the reserve compartment and to the bottom of the service compartment,a second discharge pipe extending to the bottom of the reservecompartment alongside said stand pipe, a fitting connectingly supportingsaid discharge pipes and adapted to be threaded into the fuel containerin alignment with the stand pipe whereby the first named discharge piperotates in the stand pipe and the second named discharge pipe revolvesaround the stand pipe when the fitting is threaded into the container,an outlet connection for the fitting, and valves controlling flowthrough the respective discharge pipes to said outlet connection.

5. A fuel container having an upper reserve fuel supply compartment anda lower fuel service compartment, a stand pipe connected with theservice compartment and having its upper end spaced below the top of thereserve compartment for maintaining a predetermined maximum liquid levelin the reserve compartment, a pipe connecting air spaces in therespective compartments, means for supplying air under pressure to saidair spaces, separate fuel discharge pipes extending into the respectivecompartments, a discharge pipe extending into one of the compartmentsfor drawing fuel from said compartment independently of said otherdischarge pipes, and valves controlling flow through the respectivedischarge pipes.

6. A fuel container having an upper reserve fuel supply compartment anda lower fuel service compartment, a stand pipe connected with theservice compartment and extending through the reserve compartment formaintaining a predetermined maximum liquid level in the reservecompartment, a pipe connecting air spaces in the respectivecompartments, means for supplying air under pressure to said air spaces,a fuel discharge pipe extending through said stand pipe to the reservecompartment and to the bottom of the service compartment, a seconddischarge pipe extending to the bottom of the reserve compartmentalongside said stand pipe, a fitting connectingly supporting saiddischarge pipes and adapted to be threaded into the fuel container inalignment with the stand pipe whereby the first named discharge piperotates in the stand pipe the fitting, a third discharge pipe extendinginto one of the compartmentsV1 for drawing fuel from i vsaid compartmentindependently of said other discharge pipes, and valves controlling flowthrough the respective discharge pipes.

7. A fuel container having an upper reserve fuel supply compartment anda lower fuel-service compartment, a stand pipe connected with theservice compartment and extending through the reserve compartment forlimiting the maximum liquid level in the reserve compartment, a

fuel discharge pipe extending through said stand pipe and into thebottom of the service compartment, a second discharge pipe extending tothe bottom of the reserve compartment alongside said stand pipe, and afitting connectingly supporting said discharge pipes and removablymounted in the fuel container in alignment with the stand pipe.

8. A fuel container having an upper reserve fuel supply compartment anda lower fuel service compartment, a stand pipe connected with theservice compartment and extending through the reserve compartment forlimiting the liquid capacity of the reserve compartment, a fueldischarge pipe extending through said stand pipe to the reservecompartment and into the bottom of the service compartment, a seconddischarge pipe extending to the bottom of the reserve compartmentalongside said stand pipe, and a fitting connectingly supporting saiddischarge pipes and threaded into the fuel container in alignment withthe stand pipe whereby the rst named discharge pipe rotates in the standpipe and the second named discharge pipe revolves around the stand pipewhen the fitting is threaded into the container.

9. A fuel container having an upper reserve fuel supply compartment anda lower fuel service compartment, a stand pipe connected with theservice compartment and extending through the reserve compartment forlimiting the maximum liquid level in the reserve compartment, a fueldischarge pipe extending 'through said stand pipe and into the bottom ofthe service compartment, a second discharge pipe extending to the bottomof the reserve compartment alongside said stand pipe, a fittingconnected with the fuel container' having channels respectivelyconnected with said pipes and terminating in valve seats, a commonoutlet connection for the fitting on the outlet side of said seats, andvalves supported in the fitting for selectively engaging said seats.

10. A fuel container having an upper reserve fuel supply compartment anda lower fuel service compartment, a stand pipe connected with theservice compartment and extending through the reserve compartment toform a filler whereby the service compartment is filled through thereserve compartment, a fuel discharge pipe eX tending through said standpipe and into the bottom of the service compartment, a secondl dischargepipe extending to the bottom of the reserve compartment alongside saidstand pipe, means connecting said fuel discharge pipes to form a commonoutlet exteriorly of the container, and means selectively controllingflow through said discharge pipes into said common outlet.

l1. A fuel container comprising a tank, a partition dividing the tankinto an upper reserve fuel storage compartment and a lower fuel servinn)ice compartment whereby a reserve storage is maintained incidental tofilling the service compartment, separate fuel discharge pipes connectedwith said compartments, a common outlet line connecting the dischargepipes, and means selectively controlling flow through the respectivedischarge pipes to said common outlet line.

WILLIAM C. COLEMAN.

